Review

Review Summary: Lost forever, lost together, we have no idea where we are.

It’s been said before; time and time again that metalcore has lost its basic originality. With so many bands pushing for the accolades that have been reached by countless acts before them, the modern scene has been watered down, diminished leaving the fans of the genre desensitized. This might sound a little harsh but for those who build their soundscapes off the exact same formula without actually deviating into something original or worthwhile are simply going to become stagnant, with no direction. In this day and age simply doing the same things over and over is not good enough, modern day listeners need more. I will admit that Architects did reach a certain peak with Hollow Crown back in 2009 and re-creating a sound that’s successful can easier be said than done, but a further three albums down the line shows a band failing to make the same impact. Lost Forever // Lost Together is a bland showcase of wasted potential all summed up in a number of excuses.

Architects 2014 release holds an abundance of lazy, uninspired wailed screams, pointless audio excerpts and over-bearing instrumentation. Some of the album is salvageable, but for the most part Lost Forever // Lost Together loses direction and resorts to the genre’s stereotypes, including those ever-hated quasi-breakdowns. Despite the Searle brothers being the only steady members since 2004, their hold on the band’s sound should be more noticeable. Even the Dan’s drum work is average. Lost Forever // Lost Together needs a more technical focus to match its melodic sound. As it stands, it becomes half-assed as the instrumentation is restricted to a simple progressive state. Sure, this creates an air of atmosphere, but Architects are capable of much more. It seems the melodic cleans of Sam Carter hold the most interest for this Brighton based four piece. In a sea of mediocrity, the emotive cleans is the only metaphorical arm sticking out of the surface that doesn’t need saving from the raging waves. Take the album opener for example. ‘Gravedigger’ hits with the typical energy you’d expect from a band in today’s metalcore scene. After a smattering of rung out cleans, the riffs are up tempo but change quickly into a layered chug fest. If there’s anything to say about this track it’s the fact that it sets the mood for the rest of the record; stereotypical, plain failing to leave the desired impression. Lost Forever // Lost Together continues moving the band’s sound, but it’s a regressing movement as stale as week old bread.

Unfortunately for Lost Forever // Lost Together, you can’t go into this album (assuming you’ve heard the band’s other albums or are a fan of the genre) without having a point for comparison. If everyone else has done this before than what are Architects actually doing to set themselves apart? Rather than commit ourselves to a sense of complacency, listeners should be asking for more. It’s not right to say “it’s nothing different/I’ve heard this a thousand times better” and still be happy with it. Lost Forever // Lost Together’s sound may have been fresh (or possibly ground-breaking) ten years ago, but with an over-population of similar minded bands this British metalcore band will slip into mediocrity. Think about it; is an album like this going to be viable in twenty years? Or better yet will Architects still be Architects? Chances are the answers to both those questions will be no. This album is not life-changing, genre-bending and probably will not stand the test of time. It’s only judgemental to not look to what the future holds if you have no care for tomorrow.